What type of laundry detergent do you provide to guests?

[Anika191]

Hi again!  🙋‍♀️ I'm curious what type of laundry detergent do you provide for guests use?

Currently, our old property manager had purchased the pod style detergent.  I can see the pros of it being mess free and easy to portion for guest use, but our cleaners are using it too, and I'm not happy with the residue its leaving behind on the sheets.  

Personally, I use a liquid product at home.  Do any hosts provide a liquid?  I'm concerned about the mess, the whole jug walking off, etc.

I've also looked into strips and powdered tabs.  Because we are in the mountains, I'm concerned that a cold water wash won't fully dissolve the tab.  I'm not sure about the sheet.  Do any hosts provide either of these options and what is your feedback?

I'm leaning towards providing a liquid for the cleaners and a tab or sheet for the guests, but I'm really open to hearing what everyone says.

I am trying to make the condo and our stay environmentally friendly, so that is a factor.  I provide shampoo, conditioner, body soap from The Good Fill to take advantage of their refill program, and liquid dish detergent and hand soap that also comes in large refills.  I've moved away from single use plastics as much as possible, and I'm hoping my guests value the sustainability features in our space.

[Fiona256]

When I go on holiday I bring my own soap powder. I don't expect any to be provided.

[Shelley159]

@Fiona256 @Anika191 for me, providing powder for guests to use also works best.

[Anika191]

Hi @Shelley159 Do the guests make a mess with the powder?  The condo is small and the washer and dryer are in the kitchen.  We're in the US, and powder would not be the most common, although it is available.  Have you ever had the whole box of powder walk off?

[Shelley159]

Hi @Anika191 

I decant the powder in a plastic container shaped like a washing machine (so it's clearly labelled in all languages😀) and it's never been stolen or used excessively.

Even if you do laundry on site, I don't think your cleaners & guests have to use the same product.

Powder works well for guests because it's not as easy to waste and to mess as liquid (in my opinion!). Pods cannot be adjusted for small loads and many of my guests only wash a few items.

But I have to add that it's not unusual to use powder around here - as you say, it may be seen as weird in the US!

[Anika191]

@Shelley159 I love your container!  What a great idea.  I will look for something similar.  Thank you! 

Since I'm trying to be more sustainable, hopefully most guests won't view the powder as 'weird', just part of the theme.  I've not used powder myself, so I wasn't sure if it would end up all over the kitchen.  I've also seen a pressed powder tab, which might also fit the bill.

Appreciate the help.  So good to bounce ideas off each other.

[Garry159]

Hi everyone. I use Tide. Works well for me.

[Anika191]

@Garry159 Powder or liquid?  Do you have issues with either messes or theft?

[Marie8425]

@Anika191 

I provide because also my house has filtered water and my husband bought a machine he loves because all the tech gadgets.  Haha

We ask people to not use pods, my husband just felt items and the machine had soap residue.

He also explained to me, I like to know things, his experience is the newer washers don't have the same water amount as the older machines.  He read our washer manual and too much detergent can cause issues with our machine.

Soft water if you have also effects how much detergent to use.

I have the bottle in the laundry room but my husband has handy on the shelf like a condiment picnic squirt bottle.  So no mess

[Garry159]

Hi Anika. I use pods myself but I leave liquid for guest.  No pods for guest due to child safety. I have GE washer n dryer HP N LOVE THEM. I ALWAYS double rinse..

[Garry159]

Theft is an issue just depends on type of guest.  Some r messy n others clean up everything including washing and folding sheets. Some leave gifts.